JillDavis

Hello! I thought it would be easy to find some bike tours through Tuscany but many of the companies I have found do 6 to 7 day bike tours. I just want a 1 day (or maybe just a few hours) bike tour through the Tuscan countryside? We will be staying in Siena. Also, which part of Tuscany do you think will provide the most scenic bike tour? Also, I am not an avid cyclist. Just someone who is active and thinks a bike tour through Tuscany would be a lovely way to spend the morning/afternoon.

Jean

I have no experience with these company, but they do offer one-day bike tours. The first one offers electric bikes which would help on all those hills!

http://www.ibiketuscany.com/

http://www.discovertuscany.biz/tusca...ours/index.asp

Many people here think southern Tuscany (Val d'Orcia) is the most scenic, but I think Chianti has its charms too.

zoecat

Check this sight- there may be something-

http://www.terresienainbici.it/index.php?lang=en

This shop is based in Siena and rents bicycles. They can also suggest routes-

http://www.dfbike.it/

JillDavis

Zoecat and Jean - thanks so much!

JillDavis

The Terre Siena website you gave me has some good information on it for bike tours through the countryside that leave from Siena. I was hoping to email them directly to find out some more information about their day trip bike tours, but all I could find was a number on their website??

zoecat

Try this one-

[email protected]

FamilyFriendlyItaly

Biking in Tuscany is a great way to see the countryside (there are hills, though!). Check out Cicloposse for an organized guided bike tours, one day tours, and self guided tours. They can provide routes so that you can be sure you're seeing the best of the region and going on roads that suit your ability. This is esp. nice if you only are on a bike for the day--you'd like to cycle the most scenic routes.

http://www.cicloposse.com/

and for their day trips, go to:
http://www.cicloposse.com/guideddaytrips.php

Buon divertimento!

russwuf

well as Family..above has already mentioned, Tuscany is very hilly. I myself have biked all over Tuscany and Umbria and it is not for the leisure weekend biker. This is most likely why you cannot find a cycle company/group that just does short day or hourly trips because of the challenging terrain. It is a wonderful way to see the countryside as you surmise mind you being in the open air....sheep crossing your path...pausing at a hilltop to admire the postcard views...but unless you are an avid biker with legs of steel and hearty stamina biking through Tuscany might not be a good idea.

JillDavis

This is exactly what I am looking for! Thank you! I have a few different options now.

I just didn't realize it could be almost 300 Euro for my husband and I. I would love to just do a self guided tour which would be much cheaper, but I am nervous about that. I don't want my husband trying to look at a map while he is supposed to be concentrating on the road and not getting hit by cars.

bobthenavigator

I would think twice unless you are avid cyclists and in great shape.

StCirq

Not a good idea unless you're Lance Armstrong.

JillDavis

I am actually in really good shape and don't mind cycling 20 miles per day. Some of the day tours provided by the companies look really easy and some look really hard. I am just struggling with that 300 Euro a day. I don't mind spending it, but it just seems like a lot for something like that....

StCirq

<<I am just struggling with that 300 Euro a day. I don't mind spending it, but it just seems like a lot for something like that....>>

Well, it's an obscene amount, no question about it, so why don't you just rent a bike and go off on your own? There are bike rental places all over the place where you can get a bike for about 10 euros a day.

JillDavis

Hey StCirq! Yes, I think you are right about that. I am just really nervous about my husband trying to look at a map while trying to concentrate on the road. We are familiar with the roads here in Orlando, but I could see a potentially dangerous situation. I don't know??? I

StCirq

You can't pull over and look at a map? I don't see the problem.

JillDavis

How are the roads in Tuscany? Do they have a decent size shoulder for cyclists?

yorkshire

You can also inquire at a tourist office about good routes to take if you do this independently. I imagine once you get out of a city you'll be fine--provided you can get up the hills!
You also might be able to find more info online--I sought out a lot of hiking books, for example. That is something else to consider--hiking, as there are many good books on Tuscan walks, which are free!

yorkshire

For example, Lonely Planet has Cycling Italy, and if you search that on Amazon you'll find others as well as hiking books--so you should definitely be able to cobble together a safe route.

JillDavis

Yorkshire - thanks for the helpful information! I am going to check out that Cycling Italy book.

hazel1

<How are the roads in Tuscany? Do they have a decent size shoulder for cyclists?>

Frankly, no they don't. The roads are narrow, the shoulder is really minimal (and not usually a paved shoulder at that), and I thought the cyclists we saw while driving through Tuscany were either very brave or very foolish.